This document was kindly shared by
Marc Shafer (whose father was a 298th member). Transcribed by Bob Kipke (March 2013)
– Attempts have been made to maintain the original formatting, within my
limited HTML capabilities, and the differences between a 1940’s typewriter
and a modern computer keyboard. Formatting (inconsistent in original) such as
capitalization, underlining, punctuation, use of quotes, etc. have been
maintained. A typo is noted by the use of [sic] other errors are probably my
own. For ease of recognition, names
are in a bold
red font. |
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S
OFFICE WASHINGTON |
|
DEPARTMENTAL RECORDS
BRANCH, A.G.O. HISTORICAL RECORDS SECTION ROOM MB-858 PENTAGON |
ENBN-298-0.7
(26637) Master Jul – 298th Engr C Bn |
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
1/44 To: 2400 Dec
1/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2700 |
0800 Dec 1/44 |
Co A:
Constructing timber trestle bridge at Vicht,
Germany; ˝ sq guarding Rotgen
[sic] Dam. Co B attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co C: Maintaining roads in
assigned areas; ˝ squad guarding bridge at Mulartshutte |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2701 |
0900 Dec 1/44 |
Bn Hq &
H&S Co began move to new area in Vicht, Germany, arriving 1000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2702 |
1800 Dec 1/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
2/44 To: 2400 Dec
2/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2703 |
0800 Dec 2/44 |
Co A:
Constructing timber trestle bridge at Vicht; ˝ squad guarding Rotgen [sic] Dam. Co B: Attached to 294th Engr C Bn; Co
C: Maintaining roads in assigned work area; ˝ squad guarding bridge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2704 |
1800 Dec 2/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
3/44 To: 2400 Dec
3/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2705 |
0800 Dec 3/44 |
Co A:
Constructing timber trestle bridge at Vicht, Germany; one-half squad guarding
dam at Rotgen [sic], Germany. Co B: Attached to
294th Engr C Bn: Co C: Maintaining roads in assigned area; one squad
attending Rigging School in Co Area; one squad guarding bridge at Rott and
Mulartshutte. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2706 |
0900 Dec 3/44 |
Chaplain
Kremer held services at Zweifall, Germany. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2706 |
0900 Dec 3/44 |
Chaplain Kremer held services at Zweifall, Germany. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2707 |
[sic] |
Major Earl D. Foster,
Bn Ex Off, was presented the Silver Star for gallantry in action at Tribehou,
France, on 21 July 44 by Maj Gen Collins, VII Corps Commander, at VII Corps
CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2708 |
1800 Dec 3/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
4/44 To: 2400 Dec
4/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2709 |
0800 Dec 4/44 |
A Co: One
platoon completing structure of timber trestle bridge at Vicht, Germany; Two
platoons maintaining roads in assigned area; one half squad
guarding Rotgen [sic] Dam. B Co: Attached to 294th
Engr C Bn. C Co: One platoon constructing timber trestle bridge at
Mulartshutte; five squads maintaining roads in assigned area; one squad
attending Rigging School in Co area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2710 |
1200 Dec 4/44 |
Co A
Completed timber trestle bridge at Vicht |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2711 |
1800 Dec 4/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
5/44 To: 2400 Dec
5/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2712 |
0800 Dec 5/44 |
Co A
attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co B: completing construction of timber trestle
bridge at Vicht; maintaining roads in assigned work area. Co C:
Constructing timber trestle bridge at Mulartshutte; maintaining roads in
assigned area; one squad attending rigging school in company area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2713 |
1200 Dec 5 1944 |
T/4 Joseph St Pierre,
Med Det, & Sgt Francik,
Co A, departed for 30-day furlough in USA; T/4 Pierre for
having received 2 decorations, and Sgt Franik for having been wounded twice |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2714 |
1800 Dec 5/44 |
Protestant
services conducted for A Co & C Co at Zweifall
by Chaplain Shey. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2715 |
1800 Dec 5/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
6/44 To: 2400 Dec
6/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2716 |
0800 Dec 6/44 |
Co A
attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co B: Maintaining roads in assigned work area;
constructing and revetment of timber trestle bridge at Vicht. Co C:
constructing timber trestle bridge at Mulartshutte; maintaining roads in
assigned work area; one squad attending Rigging Class in Co Area. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2717 |
0900 Dec 6/44 |
Capt Cohen,
Capt Bien, Lt Domingoes, Lt Oggioni and 30 EM departed on 48-hr pass to Paris, France |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2718 |
1800 Dec 6/44 |
Protestant
Services held near Bn CP for Bn Hq, H&S Co, and Co B, by Chaplain Shay |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2719 |
1800 Dec 6/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord 9073776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
j7/44 To: 2400 Dec
7/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast & rain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2720 |
0800 Dec 7/44 |
Co A
attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co B: one platoon filling revetment at Vicht
bridge; two platoons maintaining roads in assigned areas. Co C: One platoon
constructing timber trestle bridge at Mulartshutte; one platoon maintaining
roads in assigned area; one squad attending Rigging Class in Co Area; one
half squad guarding Rotgen [sic] Dam; one and a
half squads repairing bridge rail at Rott |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2721 |
1800 Dec 7/44 |
Co Comdrs
paying troops for month of November |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2722 |
1800 Dec 7/44 |
H&S Co operating
water point at Coord 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
8/44 To: 2400 Dec
8/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2723 |
0800 Dec 8/44 |
Co A:
Attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co B: maintaining roads in assigned work area. Co C: Three
squads constructing timber trestle bridge at Mulartshutte; three squads
maintaining roads in assigned area; one squad attending Rigging Class in Co
Area; one-half squad guarding dam at Rotgen [sic];
one and a half squads widening road at bridge site |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2724 |
1000 Dec 8/44 |
Red Cross
Clubmobile visited Bn area and served do-nuts and coffee to the companies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2725 |
1800 Dec 8/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord. K907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
8/44 To: 2400 Dec
8/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Snow and overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2726 |
0800 Dec 9/44 |
Co A:
Attached to 294th Engr C Bn. Co B: maintaining roads in assigned area. Co C: Three
squads constructing timber trestle bridge at Mulartshutte; maintaining roads
in asgd area and one squad attending Rigging Class in Co area. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2727 |
1800 Dec 9/44 |
Bn Staff
& Co Comdrs meeting at Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2728 |
1800 Dec 9/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
10/44 To: 2400 Dec
10/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2729 |
0800 Dec 10/44 |
Co A:
Maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th Armrd Div Sector. Co B:
Maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th Armrd Div Sector. Co C: Three
squads policing up bridge site at Mulartshutte; one squad attending rigging
class in Co area; five squads maintaining roads in assigned area of 5th Armrd
Div Sector |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2730 |
0900 Dec 10/44 |
Chaplain Kremer said Mass in the church at Vicht, Germany |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2731 |
1800 Dec 10/44 |
Chaplain Shay held services at Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2732 |
1800 Dec 10/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
11/44 To: 2400 Dec
11/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2733 |
0800 Dec 11/44 |
Co’s A, B, C
maintaining roads in their assigned work areas of the 5th Armrd Div Sector.
One squad, Co C, attending rigging class in company area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2734 |
1800 Dec 11/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
12/44 To: 2400 Dec
12/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2735 |
0800 Dec 12/44 |
Co’s A, B, C
maintaining roads in their assigned work area of the 5th Armd Div Sector. One
squad, Co B, attending rigging class in company area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2736 |
1800 Dec 12/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
13/44 To: 2400 Dec
13/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2737 |
0800 Dec 13/44 |
Co A:
Maintaining roads in assigned work area in 5th Armrd Div Sector. Co B: Five
squads maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th Armrd Div Sector; three
squads preparing quarry site for operation; one squad attending rigging class
in Co area. Co C: Six squads maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th
Armd Div Sector; two squads on loading detail at quarry. Co mine team
conducting mine school at Corps Hq. Recon Off made recon of roads in forward
work area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2738 |
1800 Dec 13/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2739 |
1900 Dec 13/44 |
Co Comdrs
& Bn staff meeting at Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
14/44 To: 2400 Dec
14/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2740 |
0800 Dec 14/44 |
Co’s A, B, C
maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th Armrd Div Sector; two squads,
Co B, preparing quarry for operation. Recon officer continued recon of roads
in 5th Armrd Div Sector |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2741 |
1800 Dec 14/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
15/44 To: 2400 Dec
15/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather: Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2742 |
0800 Dec 15/44 |
Co’s A, B,
C, maintaining roads in assigned work area of 5th Armored Div Sector.
One-half squad, Co B, quarry guard. Recon Off made recon of roads in 5th
Armrd Div Sector forward to Gey, Germany |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2743 |
1800 Dec 15/44 |
H&S Co operating
water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
16/44 To: 2400 Dec
16/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather -
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2744 |
0800 Dec 16/44 |
Co A: Mine
sweeping and maintaining roads in their assigned area in 5th Armd Div sector.
Co B: Sweeping mines and maintaining roads in their assigned area in 5th Armd
Div Sector; one-half squad guarding quarry. Co C: Six squads mine-sweeping
and maintaining roads in assigned area in 5th Armd Div Sector; two squads
mine sweeping and preparing by-pass at bridge site |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2745 |
1800 Dec 16 1944 |
Enemy air
force very active over area during hours of darkness. No bombs were dropped
in the immediate vicinity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
17/44 To: 2400 Dec
17/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2747 |
0700 Dec 17/44 |
Enemy air
force very active over area during hours of darkness No bombs
were dropped in the immediate vicinity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2748 |
0800 Dec 17/44 |
Co’s A, B, C
maintaining roads in their assigned areas in 5th Armd Div Sector; one-half
squad, Co B, guarding quarry; three squads preparing site for by-ass [sic] at
bridge site |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2749 |
0900 Dec 17/44 |
Chaplain Kremer held Mass in the church at Vicht, Germany, for
members of the battalion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2750 |
1500 Dec 17/44 |
Chaplain Shay held protestant services at Bn
Cp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2751 |
1800 Dec 17/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2752 |
2400 Dec 17/44 |
Enemy air
force again active over area. Bombs were dropped in the vicinity the Bn area
but no damage or casualties were reported; one enemy plane was shot down near
the Bn Cp. It was reported during the day that enemy paratroopers were landed
behind our lines on night of 16-17 Dec 44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
18/44 To: 2400 Dec
18/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2756 |
0800 Dec 19/44 |
Co A
attached to 297th Engr C Bn. Co’s B &
C maintaining roads in their assigned areas in the 5th Armrd Division Sector;
one-half squad Co B guarding quarry. Three squads Co C preparing site for
by-pass at bridge site. H&S Co operating forward C.P. near Rur River. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2757 |
1800 Dec 19/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
20/44 To: 2400 Dec
20/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast and rain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2758 |
0800 20 Dec 1944 |
Co A
attached to 297th Engr C Bn. Co’s B &
C maintaining roads in assigned area of 5th Armrd Div Sector; one half squad
guarding quarry. Co C: Three squads defending roadblocks at Vicht, Germany,
Three squads preparing site for by-pass; two squads maintaining roads in
assigned area of 5th Armd Div Sector |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2759 |
1800 Dec 20/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 and operating forward O.P. on the Rur
River. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
21/44 To: 2400 Dec
21/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2760 |
0800 Dec 21/44 |
Co’s A, B, C
maintaining roads in assigned area in 5th Armrd Div Sector; one squad Co B
preparing site for timber trestle bridge; one squad Co B operating quarry.
Four squads Co C completing by-pass and preparing site for bailey bridge.
H&S Co operating O.P. on Rur River to observe river. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2761 |
1800 Dec 21/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 907376 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
22/44 To: 2400 Dec
22/44 Place: Vicht,
Germany |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2762 |
0800 Dec 22/44 |
Co A
attached to 297th engr C Bn. Co’s B&C
maintaining roads in assigned area. H&S Co operating forward O.P. on Rur
River |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2763 |
1000 Dec 22/44 |
Bn placed on
2-hr alert in anticipation of movement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2764 |
1300 Dec 22/44 |
Co Comdrs
& staff meeting at Bn CP to receive instructions on movement to new area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2765 |
1500 Dec 22/44 |
Water Point
at K 907376 turned over to another Engr Gp; OP on Rur River relieved |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
23/44 To: 2400 Dec
23/44 Place: 3 MI
NW of Stree, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2766 |
0220 Dec 23/44 |
Bn crossed
IP in move to new area vicinity of Stree, Belgium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2767 |
1700 Dec 23/44 |
Bn was
enroute the entire day. Move was completed
at 1700 hours when Bn CP and the companies closed in at their new areas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
24/44 To: 2400 Dec
24/44 Place: 3 MI
NW of Stree, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2768 |
0800 Dec 24/44 |
Co A
relieved from attachment to 297th Engr C Bn. Letter companies and H&S Co
caring for equipment and vehicles. Job assignments not received from higher
headquarters as yet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2769 |
1100 Dec 24/44 |
Chaplain Kremer held Mass in the church at Stree, Belgium. Chaplain
Shay held protestant Xmas services and served communion
at Bn GP. Both
services were well attended by members of the Battalion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2770 |
1530 Dec 24/44 |
Chaplain Kremer hearing confessions and saying Mass at the Stree
Church |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
25/44 To: 2400 Dec
25/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair Cold |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2711 |
0800 Dec 25/44 |
Co A Recon
in asgd work area. Co B Two
squads defending road blocks vicinity of Grande Han and Petit Han Belgium.
One pltn security and maintenance of bridge at Barvaux, Belgium and one pltn
security and maintenance of bridge at Durbuy, Belgium. Co C Alerted
for attachment to 297th engr C Bn for possible bridge job on L’Ouithe [sic] River. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2772 |
0900 Dec 25/44 |
Co B Moved
Co CP to Petit Somme, Belgium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2773 |
1100 Dec 25/44 |
Bn Hqs,
H&S Co, Co A and Co C began move to new area in vicinity of Bende,
Belgium. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2774 |
1300 Dec 25/44 |
Bn Has,
H&S Co, Co A and Co C closed in at new area. All companies had a turkey
dinner at some time during the day despite moving. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2775 |
1615 Dec 25/44 |
Bn has Co C,
294th Engr C Bn attached and given an Infantry defensive mission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2776 |
1700 Dec 25/44 |
Bn Comdr, Ex
Off, S3, S2, ADE, Co A, Co C and the attached company proceed to an assembly
area near Tohogne, Belgium. S1, S4, Motor Pool and Co Hqs of H&S Co constitute rear Echelon of Bn Hqs and remained in the area
near Bende, Belgium. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
25/44 To: 2400 Dec
25/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
(Continued) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2777 |
1800 Dec 25/44 |
Bn Hqs
Forward Echelon, Co A Co C and attached company began move to the defensive
area. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2778 |
1800 Dec 25/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord. 355014. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
26/44 To: 2400 Dec
26/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Fair and cold. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2783 |
0800 Dec 27/44 |
Co’s A and
C, and Co C
294th Engr C Bn at sched, organizing and defending roadblock positions. Co B
attached to 294th Engr C Bn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2784 |
1000 Dec 27/44 |
Sgt Apigian, Pvts Bercaw and Bissesi, Co B, tried by
General Court-Martial at Corps Rear Echelon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2785 |
1200 Dec 27/44 |
Adv CP
established with the defensive positions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2786 |
1800 Dec 27/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at Coord K 355014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
28/44 To: 2400 Dec
28/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Benue, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
weather:
Heavy fog – cold. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2787 |
0100 Dec 28/44 |
Co’s A and
C, and Co C 294th Engr C Bn attached, organizing and defending roadblock
positions. Co B attached to 294th Engr C Bn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2788 |
0200 Dec 28/44 |
Enemy mortar
fire began falling in town of Briscoe near Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2789 |
0530 Dec 28/44 |
Bn Comdr and
Lt Scott left for Adv CP for Forward CP and encountered
enemy roadblock behind our position. Pfc Lucas, jeep driver, Co C, was killed in this
encounter. Col Liedike and Lt Scott made their way back to the Forward CP. At daylight
the enemy began shelling the town with artillery and a number of enemy
infantrymen had infiltrated into the town. They were driven from the town by
our forces |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2790 |
1100 Dec 28/44 |
Bn Forward
CP was moved to Mormont, several miles to the north due to the enemy
shelling. Lt Switney, Co C, received his second wound
by shrapnel during this shelling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2791 |
1200 Dec 28/44 |
The
defensive positions remained intact with no action in their immediate area,
but several vehicles had to be abandoned in the vicinity of the former
Forward CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2792 |
1800 Dec 28/44 |
H&S Co
operating waterpoint at K 355014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2793 |
1900 Dec 28/44 |
Four former
members of the Bn and one repl were received from the Repl Depot |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
29/44 To: 2400 Dec
29/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Moderately overcast. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2794 |
0800 Dec 29/44 |
Co’s A and
C, and Co C 294th Engr C Bn attached, organizing and defending roadblock
positions. Co B attached to 294th Engr C Bn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2795 |
1000 Dec 29/44 |
Lt Koehler,
Bn MTO, and several men of his maintenance section left rear CP with wrecker
for the Forward CP to try to evacuate the vehicles left in Briscol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2796 |
1430 Dec 29/44 |
Lt Koehler returned with 2 ton trucks and a jeep which they
were able to evacuate. Three 2 ton trucks and a pull trailer were left there. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2797 |
1630 Dec 29/44 |
Lt Koehler
and his men went back after the rest of the vehicles in Briscol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2798 |
1800 Dec 29/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 355014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2799 |
2030 Dec 29/44 |
Lt Koehler
returned with two of the 2 ton trucks. Due to enemy shelling they were unable
to evacuate the other truck and trailer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2999a |
2200 Dec 29/44 |
Enemy
artillery began falling in Bn Forward CP area. One round hit near
Communications truck, damaging one switchboard and other articles of signal equipment.
All tires and the gas tank on the truck were punctured. No personnel
casualties were suffered |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
30/44 To: 2400 Dec
30/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Moderately overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2800 |
0800 Dec 30/44 |
Co’s A and
C, and Co C, 294th Engr C Bn attached, defending road block positions. Co B
attached to 294th engr C Bn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2802 |
1300 Dec 30/44 |
Movie
“Saratoga Truck”, with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, shown at rear CP.
Donuts received from Red Cross Clubmobiles at Corps rear echelon were
distributed to the companies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2803 |
1730 Dec 30/44 |
Bn relieved
from attachment to 3rd Armored Div and began move back to area occupied by Bn
rear echelon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2804 |
1800 Dec 30/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 355014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2805 |
2100 Dec 30 44 |
Bn Forward
CP, Co A and Co C, closed in at rear echelon CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From: 0001 Dec
31/44 To: 2400 Dec
31/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Weather:
Slightly overcast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2806 |
0800 Dec 31/44 |
All
companies resting, cleaning and repairing equipment and clothing. Bn motor
section working on damaged trucks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2807 |
1000 Dec 31/44 |
Co Comdrs
and Bn Staff meeting at Bn CP. Co B given mission of
bridge security and maintenance at Petit Han, Durbuy and Barvaux. One squad
guarding the ford at Grand Han, Belgium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2808 |
1015 Dec 31/44 |
Col Barney visited the Bn Comdr at the Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2809 |
1100 Dec 31/44 |
Chaplain Kremer and Chaplain Shay held their
respective services at the Bn CP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2810 |
1800 Dec 31/44 |
H&S Co
operating water point at K 355014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2812 |
1900 Dec 31/44 |
All Co Mess
Sgts preparing the turkey for New Year’s Day Dinner. Members of the Bn spent
a quiet New Year’s Eve, following the completion of their front line Infantry
mission, reminiscing over the events of the past year which saw the Bn leave
the States in January, land in England and then hit the beaches of France on
D-3. The battles of the Cherbourg Peninsula, the July |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
JOURNAL |
|||||
|
298 Journal Organization
298th Engr C Bn From:
0001 Dec 31/44 To: 2400 Dec
31/44 Place: 1 Mi
W of Bende, Belgium |
||||
Time In Out |
Serial No. |
Time Date |
Incidents, Messages, Orders, etc |
Action Taken |
|
|
|
|
Cont’d |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
break-through
at St. lo, the shelling at Tribehou, the Mortain counter-attack, the Falaise
Gap, and then the dash across France and Belgium to the Siegfried Line
itself, the roadblocks occupied in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany, and finally
the move back to Belgium to do their share in halting Field Marshall Von
Rundstedt’s counter-offensive, were all vividly recalled. It is the hope and
prayer of every member of the Bn that before another New Year’s Eve rolls
around that victory over the Axis will be complete and we can celebrate the
holiday in the usual manner at home. |
|
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
Transcribed
by Bob Kipke – March 2013 |
|||||